Jorge Milanes’s Diary

“My children aren’t interested in the traditional advice I have taught them because they tell me that they aren’t seeing any results, that they can’t see themselves being successful,” I heard a man say this morning as I was getting into a collective taxi.

My US friend Cyd and I were having a look at a bookstore in Havana. “I’m looking for contemporary Cuban transgender literature,” he said, without noticing my doubts about a bibliography which, when it does come out, is sold in bulk and sells out quickly.

Years ago, you could purchase this highly valued product, which was imported from Canada, the US or Brazil, according to its packaging. Domestic trade used to distribute it among the population via the food rations booklet or at hard-currency stores.

Chong is the surname of a woman who spends a lot of time at the bodega store, although she only goes to buy bread. She recently confessed that at her age she needs to socialize a lot in order to feel alive because her two children, four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren live in Europe, and her husband passed away some years ago.

Last Tuesday, I went to a Western Union office in Villa Panamericana, a neighborhood to the east of Havana, about five km from the center. I needed to withdraw some money that an old friend had sent as a birthday present.

When the Revolution triumphed in Cuba, a system to distribute products and food was implemented and regulated by the State to ensure that every Cuban had food, clothes and shoes, relying on the Rations Booklet. Even though other countries in Socialist Europe had also implemented this system.

I recently heard about “Discoabuelos”, an activity which as the name implies is a space where older adults can go to move their bones, dance, unwind, like when they were younger. Alamar’s Discoabuelo, which is run by the Cuban Artex company at the En Guanyabera Cultural Center, takes place every Tuesday from 12-4 PM

Mango is a strong man, with a kind nature and friendly face. He is 78 years old but his physical build allows him to take on the hard labor of a delivery man, a job which involves taking market purchases to families who hire him.